In the fast-paced world of mockumentary comedies, few shows have captured the awkward charm of workplace chaos quite like The Office. Now, its spiritual successor, The Paper, is back in circulation with a swift Season 2 renewal that’s got fans scribbling notes and speculating wildly. Premiering on Peacock in September 2025, the series—created by The Office alum Greg Daniels and Michael Koman—quickly earned its stripes with an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score and a binge-worthy 10-episode drop. As the documentary crew that once shadowed Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch turns its lens on the flailing Toledo Truth Teller newspaper, Season 2 promises more ink-stained antics, corporate meddling, and heartfelt headlines. Here’s the latest scoop on when it’ll hit screens, who’s in the ensemble, and what plot threads are dangling for the next chapter.
The Paper Season 2 Release Details
Peacock didn’t waste a beat in greenlighting Season 2—just one day before the September 4, 2025, premiere of Season 1, signaling rock-solid confidence in the show’s mockumentary magic. All 10 episodes of the freshman run dropped at once on the streamer, with a broadcast debut on NBC starting November 10, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET. This binge model paid off, echoing The Office‘s enduring appeal as a streaming staple.
For Season 2, no exact date has been etched in stone yet, but insiders point to a fall 2026 window. With Daniels already brainstorming scripts and the early renewal buying production plenty of runway, expect a similar timeline to Season 1: casting wrapped in spring 2024, filming by mid-year, and a premiere around September. Peacock’s chairman of entertainment, Pearlena Igbokwe, raved about the “incredible job” of landing the first season, hinting at more episodes—possibly expanding beyond 10 if viewer demand surges. International fans: Keep an eye on Binge in Australia, Sky in the UK, and StackTV in Canada for simultaneous drops.
The Paper Season 2 Expected Cast
The Paper‘s ensemble is a pitch-perfect blend of fresh talent and nostalgic nods, and Season 2 is poised to reunite the core crew while teasing more crossovers from the Dunder Mifflin days. No major casting shake-ups have been announced, but the show’s momentum suggests most players will return to their quirky roles. Here’s the lineup expected to make headlines:
- Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson: The idealistic editor-in-chief thrust into saving the Truth Teller. Gleeson, known for Ex Machina and Star Wars, brings wide-eyed optimism that’s already a fan favorite. He and co-star Sabrina Impacciatore broke the renewal news on Today, buzzing with excitement for more “amazing” storytelling.
- Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda Grand: The glamorous, cutthroat managing editor who’s all clickbait and no filler. Her brash Italian flair has sparked debate—some call her a “female Michael Scott” in the making—but Impacciatore’s White Lotus pedigree ensures she’ll stir the pot deliciously.
- Chelsea Frei as Mare Pritti: The sharp-witted reporter and Ned’s reluctant ally (and maybe more?). Frei’s chemistry with Gleeson is electric, setting up some juicy will-they-won’t-they vibes.
- Melvin Gregg as Detrick Moore: The eager ad sales rep with a soft spot for colleague Nicole. Gregg celebrated the renewal on Instagram, calling it a “blessed” re-up for the team.
- Ramona Young as Nicole Lee: Circulation whiz and Mare’s ride-or-die bestie, often clashing with Esmeralda’s demands.
- Gbemisola Ikumelo as Adelola Olofin: The cautious accountant navigating the office’s wild side.
- Alex Edelman as Adam Cooper: The introverted number-cruncher whose sheltered life adds awkward hilarity.
- Tim Key as Ken Davies: Enervate’s scheming strategist, teaming with Esmeralda for corporate chaos.
- Oscar Nuñez as Oscar Martinez: The accounting head (and The Office vet) sharing space with the paper and toilet brand Softees. His return bridges the universes seamlessly.
Guest stars from Season 1, like Tracy Letts as a grizzled ex-editor and Robert R. Shafer’s Bob Vance cameo, spiced things up—could we see Steve Carell’s Michael Scott referenced (or even popping by)? Mentions of Stanley Hudson and Phyllis Vance in Season 1 fuel hopes for more Easter eggs. With executive producers Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant overseeing, anything’s possible. Stay tuned for announcements; filming could ramp up soon, potentially unveiling new faces or promotions.
The Paper Season 2 Potential Plot
Specific Season 2 synopses are under wraps in the writers’ room, but Season 1’s cliffhanger finale sets a tantalizing stage: The Toledo Truth Teller snags a surprise journalism award, only for corporate overlords at Enervate to swoop in with cost-cutting threats. Amid the celebrations, Ned and Mare share a “research purposes” kiss that leaves Ned muttering “oh, s—“—a classic slow-burn spark ready to ignite workplace complications.
Expect the sophomore run to dive into the fallout: How will the team fend off budget slashes while chasing real scoops over wire stories? Esmeralda’s resistance to Ned’s volunteer-reporter revival could escalate into full-blown feuds, with Ken’s bumbling schemes adding fuel. Romance will simmer—Ned and Mare’s dynamic, as Gleeson notes, stems from their shared passion for “making something amazing,” but mixing bylines with butterflies rarely ends cleanly. Oscar’s accounting woes, Detrick’s unrequited crush, and Nicole’s clashes might weave in subplots, all under the unflinching gaze of the documentary crew.
Tying back to The Office roots, the show nods to Dunder Mifflin’s 2019 shutdown (now a laser hair removal spot) and the paper’s shared office with Softees toilet brand—prime for punny hijinks. Daniels has teased “characters you just grow to love,” promising deeper arcs without losing the mockumentary’s deadpan wit. Whether it’s award-show scandals or a rogue expose gone wrong, Season 2 looks set to balance heart, humor, and headlines.
